Christmas Tree 2012

Thanksgiving 2012

Tyrone & Ashli's Celebration Night!

Tyrone & Ashli were home for Thanksgiving for the LAST time as an ENGAGED couple.

So....we had to throw them a SURPRISE NIGHT OUT CELEBRATION!

It was FABULOUS night full of fun with all the siblings.

Tifni and I had put together a small get together to invite a few of Ashli's friends and got Tyrone in on the surprise so he could help with timing at the restaurant.

Of course we had to get a veil, some pink boas and balloons!

We started at Walt's Pub for dinner and ended up at Nine Irish Brothers for entertainment.



Mr. & Mrs. Russell (Tifni is Levi's Sister)




Sexy BROTHER IN LAWS TO BE




The Girls!
I LOVE having SISTERS - FINALLY!




All of Us - Celebrating the Night



Can't wait to see this lady walk down the aisle - JUNE will be here in no time!

XOXOX

**PS Thanks to my parents and Josh's parents for letting us have a kid free night!

November 2012



THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY ARE QUIET.....AUNT ASHLI AND TYRONE WERE STAYING SO WE HAD OUR BLOW UP MATTRESS OUT FOR THEM......NEPHI AND CLAIRANA WANTED TO ENJOY IT TOO!



YES THOSE ARE DIAPER WIPES



FIRST TASTE OF DEER SAUSAGE

FIRST TASTE OF DEER SAUSAGE

WALKING!

Nephi Joe started walking on Saturday, November 24th. We were out visiting Aunt Woody and Greg and Aunt Woody put him down and he walked three steps to Levi.

I about died,

we have been trying for days to get him to walk and she just casually put him down and he did it.

Since then he has walked a few more steps each day, although his climbing has gotten crazy lately.

Crazy how fast they grow!

Last Day Kidz Company

This was taken on November 16th - It was their last day at Kidz Company. This was a bittersweet day because they had just gotten settled in to a routine but we thought a switch would be better.

It started with a bad review of our daycare, nothing too exciting and we had not had any issues personally but it made me question what was the best option for our house.

After talking about it for several several hours I decided to pray about it for a few days. Working with the thought of your children not being in the best place is well not really happening I was pretty miserable.

I was on Facebook and looked up an old girlfriend of mine who I was going to email and see where she took her kids.....yeah she had an incident and on her Facebook page it said she was now the owner of Bright Minds In home Childcare.

At this point, Levi was not open for discussion of in-home because it was less eyes and he really just didn't want another change for our kids after all we have put them through with the moves and me going back to work. So I prayed some more......

I gathered all my information up about Heather's place and decided to see if I could change his mind.

Pros:

Price
Homemade Organic Meals
Knowing the individual
In-Home (might be better for less structure right now)

Cons:

Less eyes
Drive

*** Much more information but I won't completely bore you - poor Levi......

So, we decided to make the switch, we went over to Heather's two weekends before to test it out with us of course. The kids did really well. Clairana was always having a meltdown when we would arrive at school and after three months I really felt like she should be over that stage. Now, she has fussed a few days at Heather's when I leave but I really do feel that a little less structure and more home-like surroundings are easier for a two year old at least right now. She did learn alot at Kidz Company but does a two year old really need to be going to school?

I am VERY excited about the change and it seems to be doing great. With the holiday they have only been a few days but I already feel great relief and as always you need to listen to your gut.

Plus, I am really excited about rekindling a friendship from my childhood, I remember my parents best friends and how we grew up with their kids and I am excited to see Clairana and Nephi make those same special bonds.
Thank you Heavenly Father for this amazing blessing, how wonderful it is to know that your children are taken care of while you are away from them!

Grandpa Ashby

This past week was full of ups and downs - on Tuesday afternoon Tanner (my baby brother) came and picked me up early from work and we got to visit with our Grandpa Ashby for the last time.

I am very thankful that I was able to see him before he passed that night. As I contemplated when to go see him - Levi is always the one to say how important it is to visit family as he missed the chance to say goodbye to his grandfather.

What an amazing woman, my grandmother is she was calm and very sweet when talking about their 58 years of marriage. I asked her what her piece of martial advice would be - humor just remember to enjoying laughing with each other. She insisted on still having Thanksgiving dinner at her house and it was a great time for her to visit with Clairana and Nephi.


James Ashby.James W. "Jim" Ashby, 79




James W. "Jim" Ashby, 79, of Lafayette, passed away at home at 11:05 p.m. on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 surrounded by his loving family. Born August 29, 1933 in Lafayette, he was the son of the late Roe M. Ashby and Alice (Yelton) Ashby Payne Cunningham. Jim was a 1952 graduate of Lafayette Jefferson High School. He honorably served in the United States Navy from 1952 to 1956 during the Korean Conflict.



His marriage was to Bessie Joan "Jody" Jared on September 8, 1954 in Ventura, CA, and she survives. Jim was a member of Pipefitters Local #157 for 55 years, retiring in 1996. He was also a member of American Legion Post #11, the Navy Club and a former member of the Eagles Lodge. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, mushroom hunting, and going to casinos. He was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan.



Surviving with his wife are his children, Debbie Trader (husband, Brad) of Monticello, IN and Rick Ashby of Lafayette; three sisters, Lois Thoennes of Valparaiso, and Sandy Williams and Sherry Oland (husband, Jerry) both of Lafayette; 11 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and his beloved cat, Persia. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Jan Ashby and a great granddaughter, Beautie Porche.

The family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m. Saturday at Hippensteel Funeral Home, with a memorial service to follow at 3 p.m. Celebrant Denis Horn officiating.